The Fisheries Department has issued special directions to all the fishing boat owners in the district to ensure the possession of basic security equipment prescribed by the department in all boats. As per the directive, all the boat owners will have to procure the essential items within March 31 to comply with the tightening rules. As per the new directions, the security equipment will be made mandatory for all boats above 20-metre length.
According to the Fisheries department officials, almost all the boat owners had earlier secured the required number of lifebuoys, life jackets, emergency position indicating radio beacons and first-aid kits from the department. “However, it was found that only a few were found utilising them,” they pointed out.
